U.S. patent application number 12/446816 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for wireless id managing apparatus, wireless id managing method and wireless id recorder.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.. Invention is credited to Masayuki Chatani, Chisato Numaoka.
Application Number | 20100013603 12/446816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39343932 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100013603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chatani; Masayuki ; et
al. |
January 21, 2010 |
Wireless ID Managing Apparatus, Wireless ID Managing Method And
Wireless ID Recorder
Abstract
The RFID reader 20 reads out an RFID stored in an RFID tag in
the vicinity through wireless communication. The clock 28 acquires
an RFID readout time. The location sensor 24 acquires an RFID
readout location. The memory 16 stores the RFID in association with
the readout time and the readout location. The communication I/F 22
acquires RFID-related information from a server asynchronously with
readout of the RFID. The processor 10 generates in the memory 16 an
RFID aggregate structure, which is a data structure of RFID
aggregates constructed by classifying a plurality of RFIDs stored
in the memory 16 based on the readout time and the readout location
and in which RFID-related information is stored in association with
the constructed RFIDs.
Inventors: |
Chatani; Masayuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Numaoka; Chisato; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIBSON & DERNIER L.L.P.
900 ROUTE 9 NORTH, SUITE 504
WOODBRIDGE
NJ
07095
US
|
Assignee: |
SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT
INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39343932 |
Appl. No.: |
12/446816 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
July 10, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/000747 |
371 Date: |
July 1, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/10.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/10.6 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 5/22 20060101
H04Q005/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2006 |
JP |
2006-293878 |
Claims
1. A wireless ID management apparatus comprising: a wireless ID
reader which reads out a wireless ID stored in a wireless ID tag in
the vicinity through wireless communication; a time information
acquirer which acquires readout time of the wireless ID; a location
information acquirer which acquires readout location of the
wireless ID; a memory which stores the wireless ID in association
with the readout time and the readout location; a communicator
which acquires wireless ID related information, which is
information associated with the wireless ID, from a server
asynchronously with readout of the wireless ID; a classifier which
generates in the memory a wireless ID aggregate structure, which is
a data structure of wireless ID aggregates constructed by
classifying a plurality of wireless IDs stored in the memory based
on the readout time and the readout location and in which the
wireless ID related information is stored in association with the
constructed wireless ID; and a notifier, which upon finding that
the readout location of the wireless ID is within a specified
distance range from the present location of a user, gives
notification that a wireless ID having the wireless ID related
information is in the vicinity of the present location.
2. The wireless ID management apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the classifier generates in the memory a wireless ID
aggregate structure hierarchically constructed by classifying the
plurality of wireless IDs based on the readout location and further
by classifying them based on the readout time.
3. A wireless ID management method comprising the steps of:
automatically reading out a wireless ID stored in a wireless ID tag
existing in the vicinity of a user using a wireless ID reader
without conscious operation by the user; storing in a memory the
wireless ID, which was read out, in association with the wireless
ID's readout time and readout location; acquiring related
information of the wireless ID from a server; classifying the
related information of a plurality of wireless IDs stored in the
memory based on the readout time and/or the readout location; and
upon finding that the readout location of the wireless ID is within
a specified distance range from the present location of a user,
giving notification that the wireless ID having the related
information is in the vicinity of the present location.
4. The wireless ID management method according to claim 3, wherein
the step of classifying generates a wireless ID aggregate structure
hierarchically constructed by classifying the plurality of wireless
IDs based on the readout location and further by classifying them
based on the readout time and stores related information of the
wireless IDs in association with the wireless IDs hierarchically
constructed.
5. A data structure of a wireless ID aggregate structure which is
an aggregated data structure of a plurality of wireless IDs read
out from wireless ID tags through wireless communication, wherein a
wireless ID aggregate structure hierarchically constructed by
classifying the plurality of wireless IDs based on the readout
location of each wireless ID and further by classifying them based
on the readout time of each wireless ID is aligned as data in a
form readable with a wireless ID management apparatus, and includes
information which specifies an address on a network related to the
readout location.
6. A wireless ID recorder comprising: a wireless ID reader which
reads out a wireless ID stored in a wireless ID tag in the vicinity
through wireless communication; a time information acquirer which
acquires the wireless ID readout time; a location information
acquirer which acquires the wireless ID readout location; a memory
which stores the wireless ID in association with the readout time
and the readout location; a communicator which acquires wireless ID
related information, which is information associated with the
wireless ID, from a server asynchronously with readout of the
wireless ID; a classifier which generates in the memory a wireless
ID aggregate structure, which is a data structure of wireless ID
aggregates constructed by classifying a plurality of wireless IDs
stored in the memory based on the readout time and the readout
location and in which the wireless ID related information is stored
in association with the constructed wireless ID; and a notifier,
which upon finding that the readout location of the wireless ID is
within a specified distance range from the present location of a
user, gives notification that the wireless ID having the wireless
ID related information is in the vicinity of the present location.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a wireless ID management apparatus
for acquiring and recording wireless IDs and a wireless ID
management method for managing the acquired wireless IDs.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is
an ultra small recording apparatus having an antenna and a
transmitter and receiver, wherein information that enables
identification of a product or a piece of work having an RFID tag
on it is recorded in a memory. The RFID tag transmits information
in the memory to an RFID reader's antenna by actively generating
electromotive force through emitting electric waves in itself or by
passively generating electromotive force through receiving electric
waves for readout from the RFID reader.
[0003] In recent years, standardization of information to be stored
in an RFID tag has been promoted by various organizations. For
example, in the standard technology of an organization named EPC
Global, use of RFIDs is assumed in their basic system. An RFID tag
stores a code called EPC, which is read out by an RFID reader. The
RFID reader is made to be capable of acquiring EPC-related
information by communicating with an ONS (Object Name Service)
server on a decentralized network or a PML (Physical Markup
Language) server through passing EPC to a middleware called Savant.
EPC includes a header, EPC manager, object class, and serial
number, and based on these pieces of information, enables
identification of a product or a piece of work having an RFID on it
in which the corresponding EPC is stored.
[0004] As outlined above, since an RFID enables identification of a
product or piece of work based on minimal information and then
acquisition of related information from a server via a network, its
use is anticipated in various areas, such as manufacturing lines
and delivery systems, and various applications of RFIDs have been
proposed accordingly.
[0005] For example, the patent literature 1 discloses a website
search service, which, through a simple operation, enables access
to websites offering related product information by reading out an
RFID using an RFID reader. The patent literature 2 discloses a
mobile terminal that provides information, such as an
advertisement, in animated image or voice, when an RFID tag that is
attached to a poster or the like is read out using an RFID reader.
The patent literature 3 discloses a device that provides
information on an exhibited item in display or voice output when an
RFID tag that is attached to an item exhibited at an exhibition or
the like is read out using the device.
[0006] Further, the patent literature 4 discloses a contents
management system for managing numerous contents accumulated in a
plurality of devices and providing a user with a clue or a visual
guidepost to lead the user to their desired content.
[0007] [Patent literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication
No. 2001-350782
[0008] [Patent literature 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication
No. 2002-268593
[0009] [Patent literature 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication
No. 2003-347991
[0010] [Patent literature 4] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication
No. 2006-107020
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0011] The main purpose of every conventionally-proposed RFID
application, however, is to have a user read out an RFID tag of a
product on the spot and provide the user with related information.
Neither equipment for acquiring and recording RFID information for
long periods, regarding products which a user is not contemplating
or products in the vicinity about which a user is unaware, nor
equipment or a system for searching for information based on
previously acquired RFID aggregates at a location where the
corresponding products can no longer be found in the vicinity and
at an arbitrary point of time have been proposed. Further, no
systems have been offered, which are to group users by comparing
the RFID information, which was collected by a plurality of users
using their individual RFID management apparatus, of the users.
[0012] The present invention has been developed in view of the
foregoing problems, and a general purpose thereof is to provide a
technology to acquire and manage a plurality of wireless IDs.
Means to Solve the Problems
[0013] To solve the foregoing problems, a wireless ID management
apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention
includes: a wireless ID reader which reads out a wireless ID stored
in a wireless ID tag in the vicinity through wireless
communication; a time information acquirer which acquires the
wireless ID readout time; a location information acquirer which
acquires the wireless ID readout location; a memory which stores
the wireless ID in association with the readout time and the
readout location; a communicator which acquires wireless ID related
information, which is information associated with the wireless ID,
from a server asynchronously with readout of the wireless ID; and a
classifier which generates in the memory a wireless ID aggregate
structure, which is a data structure of wireless ID aggregates
constructed by classifying a plurality of wireless IDs stored in
the memory based on the readout times and the readout locations and
in which the wireless ID related information is stored in
association with the constructed wireless ID.
[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention is a wireless ID
management method. This method includes the steps of: automatically
reading out a wireless ID stored in a wireless ID tag existing in
the vicinity of a user using a wireless ID reader without the
conscious operation of the user; storing in a memory the wireless
ID, which was read out, in association with the wireless ID's
readout time and readout location; acquiring related information of
the wireless ID from a server; and classifying the related
information of a plurality of wireless IDs stored in the memory
based on the readout time and/or the readout location.
[0015] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a data
structure of a wireless ID aggregate structure. The data structure
of this wireless ID aggregate structure is an aggregate data
structure of a plurality of wireless IDs read out from wireless ID
tags through wireless communication, wherein a wireless ID
aggregate structure hierarchically constructed by classifying the
plurality of wireless IDs based on the readout location of each
wireless ID, and further by classifying them based on the readout
time of each wireless ID, is aligned as data in a form readable
with a wireless ID management apparatus, and includes information
which specifies an address on a network related to the readout
location.
[0016] It should be appreciated that any combinations of the
foregoing components, and any conversions of expressions of the
present invention from/into methods, apparatus, systems, computer
programs, data structures, recording media, and the like are also
intended to constitute applicable aspects of the present
invention.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to
acquire and efficiently manage a plurality of wireless IDs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an RFID system according to an
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the RFID tag of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the RFID management apparatus
of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a function block diagram of the RFID management
apparatus of FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a
program which is executed in the RFID management apparatus of FIG.
4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a data
structure of an RFID aggregate structure to be stored in the RFID
aggregate storage of FIG. 4;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a data
structure of an association structure consisting of RFIDs and meta
information;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a
program for updating attribute information of the RFID tag of FIG.
5;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining
RFID-related information acquired through executing the program for
acquiring RFID-related information of FIG. 8;
[0027] FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for illustrating and
explaining a menu to enable a user to select a location where RFID
information is recorded;
[0028] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for illustrating and
explaining a menu to enable a user to select a filtering condition
for RFIDs for navigation;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a diagram for showing filtering of RFIDs for
navigation using RFID-related information;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a diagram for showing a display example of a
navigation space;
[0031] FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for illustrating and
explaining an option selection menu displayed in the navigation
screen of FIG. 13 for an RFID thumbnail image for viewing;
[0032] FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for illustrating and
explaining an option selection menu displayed in the navigation
screen of FIG. 13 for an RFID thumbnail image for viewing;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining an
alarm notification screen using user preference information;
[0034] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conversion processing
apparatus according to an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining
conversion of an RFID aggregate structure into a document file by
the conversion processing apparatus of FIG. 17;
[0036] FIG. 19 is a diagram for showing an example of generation of
a metadata space through conversion of XML documents registered in
a server from a plurality of RFID management apparatuses into data
in an RFID management apparatus format; and
[0037] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a user grouping apparatus
according to an embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0038] 10 processor, 12 I/O controller, 14 graphics processor, 16
memory, 18 display, 20 RFID reader, 22 communication I/F, 24
location sensor, 26 input device, 28 clock, 30 RFID reader, 32 time
information acquirer, 34 location information acquirer, 36
communicator, 38 classifier, 40 RFID aggregate storage, 42 user
interface, 44 searcher, 46 feature space setter, 48 virtual space
generator, 50 display controller, 52 matching processor, 54 user
preference storage, 56 notifier, 60 receiver, 62 first extractor,
64 RFID aggregate generator, 66 RFID aggregate storage, 68 document
file creator, 70 second extractor, 72 description setter, 74
transmitter, 80 proximity evaluator, 82 user classifier, 84
advertisement deliverer, 86 RFID aggregate storage, 88 user
database, 90 advertisement database, 100 RFID management apparatus,
110 RFID tag, 120 wireless access point, 130 network, 140 server,
200 conversion processing apparatus, and 300 user grouping
apparatus.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an RFID system according to an
embodiment. An RFID management apparatus 100 automatically reads
out RFIDs from RFID tags 110a to 110g (when generic reference is
made a reference numeral 110 is used) which can be sensed in the
vicinity through wireless communication. The RFID management
apparatus 100 stores in an embedded memory the RFIDs, which were
read out, in association with location information acquired from a
location sensor inside the RFID management apparatus 100 and time
information acquired from a clock within the RFID management
apparatus 100.
[0040] RFID tags 1 to 5 (reference numerals 110a to 110e) are read
out at the same location L1, and among these RFID tags 1 to 3 are
read out at a time T1 and RFID tags 3 to 5 are read out at a time
T2. RFID tags 6 and 7 (reference numerals 110f and 110g) are read
out at location L2 at a time T3. Each RFID read out from each RFID
tag is stored in the embedded memory of the RFID management
apparatus 100 in association with the readout location and readout
time. RFID tag 3 is read out at location L1 at two different times:
T1 and T2, therefore, the RFID read out from RFID tag 3 is stored
in association with location L1 and the two different times: T1 and
T2.
[0041] The RFID management apparatus 100, through communicating
with a wireless access point 120 using a wireless communication
I/F, can exchange information by accessing a server 140 via a
network 130. The server 140, for example, has a database for
managing information related to products associated with an RFID
(hereinafter, referred to as "RFID-related information" or
"metadata") in association with the RFID. The server 140 may do
database-based management of website addresses (URLs (uniform
resource locators)) of shops associated with location information.
These databases may be set up in a dispersed manner in a plurality
of servers.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the RFID tag 110. The RFID tag
110 includes a memory 112, a transmitter and receiver 114, and an
antenna 116. The memory 112 stores an RFID. The transmitter and
receiver 114 receives a request signal from the RFID management
apparatus 100 via the antenna 116 and transmits the RFID stored in
the memory 112 to the RFID management apparatus 100.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the RFID management apparatus
100. The RFID management apparatus 100 includes a processor 10, an
I/O controller 12, a graphics processor 14, a memory 16, a display
18, an RFID reader 20, a communication I/F 22, a location sensor
24, an input device 26, and a clock 28.
[0044] The graphics processor 14 has a display controller function.
The communication I/F 22 is an interface for communicating with a
wireless base station. The location sensor 24 is, for example, a
GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The input device 26 is an
input device, such as a button or keyboard, for accepting input
from a user. The clock 28 enables the processor 10 to have a clock
function. It should be appreciated that a D/A converter or speaker
for generating sounds, though not being shown in the figure, may
also be included. Further, the method for external communication
may not be limited to wireless communication but wire communication
may also be used, and in such cases, a network interface for making
a connection with a wired LAN and the like is included. Moreover,
in the case of a mobile phone with an RFID management apparatus
function, it is configured to enable communication with a mobile
phone base station by using an interface, which meets the mobile
phone communications standards, as a communication interface.
Furthermore, in the case of a mobile phone, it may be configured so
that a location can be specified based on information from a base
station in the vicinity, instead of incorporating the location
sensor 24.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a function block diagram of the RFID management
apparatus 100. The figure shows a block diagram describing
functions. These function blocks may be realized in various forms
such as hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof. In
other words, at least some of these function blocks may be realized
in a hardware configuration of the RFID management apparatus 100 as
described in FIG. 3, and function blocks which cannot be realized
in a hardware configuration may be realized with the processor 10
executing a program loaded in the memory 16.
[0046] An RFID reader 30 is realized in the RFID reader 20 of FIG.
3 to read out an RFID from the RFID tag 110 and store the RFID,
which was read out, in an RFID aggregate storage 40. A time
information acquirer 32 is realized in the clock 28 of FIG. 3 to
store information, which is related to the time and date when the
RFID reader 30 read out the RFID from the RFID tag 110, in the RFID
aggregate storage 40. A location information acquirer 34 is
realized in the location sensor 24 of FIG. 3 to store information,
which is related to the location of where the RFID reader 30 read
out the RFID from the RFID tag 110, in the RFID aggregate storage
40. The RFID aggregate storage 40 is realized in the memory 16 of
FIG. 3 to store the RFID, which was read out by the RFID reader 30,
in association with the readout time and the readout location.
[0047] A communicator 36 is realized in the communication I/F 22 of
FIG. 3. It is connected to a wireless access point 120 to acquire
RFID related information, which corresponds to the RFID read out by
the RFID reader 30, from a server 140 and store it in the RFID
aggregate storage 40 in association with the RFID already stored. A
readout of an RFID by the RFID reader 30 and acquisition of
RFID-related information by the communicator 36 are done
asynchronously. The RFID reader 30 automatically reads out RFIDs
from RFID tags in the vicinity and continues to accumulate them in
the RFID aggregate storage 40. Conversely, the communicator 36,
when connection with the wireless access point 120 is possible,
acquires RFID-related information, which corresponds to the RFIDs
accumulated in the RFID aggregate storage 40, from the server
140.
[0048] A classifier 38, by classifying a plurality of RFIDs stored
in the RFID aggregate storage 40 based on the readout location, and
further classifying them based on the readout time, hierarchically
constructs RFID aggregates and stores the constructed RFID
aggregate structure in the RFID aggregate storage 40. RFID-related
information is stored within the RFID aggregate structure in
association with the constructed RFIDS.
[0049] A display controller 50, by displaying the RFIDs, which are
stored in the RFID aggregate storage 40, on a display 18, enables
viewing of the RFID-related information associated with the
displayed RFIDs.
[0050] A user interface 42 provides an interface for a user to set
conditions for viewing the RFIDs accumulated in the RFID aggregate
storage 40. As the conditions for viewing RFIDs, it has the user
specify a prescribed distance range and time range from a present
location. Further, the user interface 42 may also provide an
interface for the user to select attributes of the RFID-related
information.
[0051] A searcher 44 searches the RFID aggregate structures
accumulated in the RFID aggregate storage 40 for RFIDs, which meet
the conditions specified by a user, and gives search results to the
display controller 50. The display controller 50 displays the
search results by the searcher 44 on the display 18 of FIG. 3.
[0052] To display RFIDs on the display 18, a virtual space may be
used. A feature space setter 46 and a virtual space generator 48
are constituent parts for displaying RFIDs in the virtual
space.
[0053] The feature space setter 46, in a feature space whose
coordinate axis is a feature quantity included in RFID-related
information, places one or more RFIDs for viewing in coordinate
positions determined based on the respective feature quantities.
The virtual space generator 48 places the RFIDs in a virtual space
by mapping the RFIDs, which are placed in the feature space, in
spots in the virtual space. The virtual space may be either a
two-dimensional plane surface or a three-dimensional space. The
display controller 50 displays the virtual space in which the RFIDs
are placed on the display 18.
[0054] The user interface 42 provides a graphical user interface
function for a user to search the virtual space displayed on the
display 18. The user, while searching the virtual space, by viewing
RFID thumbnail images placed in the virtual space and clicking on a
thumbnail image, can view the RFID-related information of the
corresponding RFID. For example, when products associated with an
RFID are clothes, clothes are displayed in thumbnail images, and by
clicking on a thumbnail image of the clothes that the user wants to
view, it is possible to view the RFID-related information, in this
case, information about the clothes, such as manufacturer, colors,
sizes, and image data.
[0055] The virtual space generator 48 may extract three main
elements from a feature space through multivariate analysis and set
up a three-dimensional space with the three main elements being its
coordinate axes as a virtual space. In such a case, the virtual
space generator 48, by calculating the feature quantities of the
three main elements for the RFID-related information of each RFID,
maps each RFID in a spot in the three-dimensional virtual
space.
[0056] A user preference storage 54 is realized in the memory 16 of
FIG. 3 to store information related to the preferences of a user
using the RFID management apparatus 100.
[0057] A matching processor 52, by doing matching between feature
quantity included in the user preference information stored in the
user preference storage 54 and feature quantity included in the
RFID-related information of the RFIDs stored in the RFID aggregate
storage 40, extracts one or more RFIDs which have RFID-related
information matching the user's preference from the RFID aggregate
storage 40.
[0058] A notifier 56, upon finding that a location where an RFID
extracted by the matching processor 52 was read out is within the
specified distance range from the present location, gives
notification with an alarm that an RFID having RFID-related
information matching the user's preference is in the vicinity of
the present location. Information related to the present location
is acquired by the location information acquirer 34.
[0059] Using the present clock time information acquired by the
time information acquirer 32, the notifier 56 may also be such that
when a location, where an RFID was read out, which was extracted by
the matching processor 52, is within the specified distance range
from the present location, and the time when the RFID was read out
is within the specified time range from the present time, it gives
notification that an RFID having RFID-elated information matching
the user's preference is in the vicinity of the present
location.
[0060] When the notifier 56 gives notification that an RFID having
RFID-related information, which matches the user's preference, is
in the vicinity of the present location, the display controller 50
may display the RFID-related information associated with the RFID
on the display 18.
[0061] The display controller 50, when displaying RFID-related
information on the display 18, may at the same time display map
information of the vicinity of the location where an RFID was read
out. The map information may be received from the server 140.
[0062] The user interface 42, when an article like a product
related to an RFID displayed on the display 18 matches a user's
preference, may accept a marking from the user. The matching
processor 52 may extract feature quantity included in RFID-related
information associated with the marked RFID as a feature quantity
that characterizes the user's preference and store it in the user
preference storage 54 to be used for matching.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a
program which is executed in the RFID management apparatus 100. In
the present embodiment, the RFID management apparatus 100 is
assumed to have a power-on/off function. Further, in the processor
10, it is assumed that a plurality of executable units called
threads are executed while scheduling them. In an embodiment, by
making the processor 10 of the RFID management apparatus 100 a
processor having a plurality of processing elements called a
multi-core processor, a plurality of threads may be executed
simultaneously in a plurality of processing elements.
[0064] When the power is turned on, a program Ono is executed. To
create a thread to execute a program called Scan_Tag( ) for
scanning an RFID tag, Create_Thread(Scan_Tag) is executed and a
number to identify the thread is assigned to a variable referred to
as TagScan for later thread management, so that the thread may be
referenced. Further, to enable execution of a program called
Update_Tag_Info( ) for updating RFID tag attribute information in
parallel with Scan_Tag( ), Create_Thread(Update_Tag_Info) is
executed to create one more thread. For this thread also, an
identification number for the corresponding thread is assigned to a
variable, referred to as TagInfoUpdate, for later reference.
[0065] Conversely, when the power is turned off, a program Off( )
is executed. The thread referenced by the TagScan variable created
when the power was turned on and the thread referenced by the
TagInfoUpdate variable are terminated by Destroy_Thread(TagScan)
and Destroy_Thread(TagInfoUpdate).
[0066] The Scan_Tago program is executed in the thread which was
created when the power was turned on. The ScanTag( ) program, as
long as the corresponding thread exists, executes a Get_Tag( )
program and reads out RFIDs by scanning RFID tags in the vicinity.
The RFIDs, which were read out, with the location information
acquired by the Get_Location( ) program and the present time
information acquired by the Get_Time( ) program are recorded as a
set in the memory by the Record_Tag (tagID, Loc, Time) program.
[0067] It should be appreciated that there are two methods to
realize the Get_Tag( ) program: a method in which RFID tags are
returned to TagID variable one at a time and a method in which
RFIDs read out from all the RFID tags which responded to one scan
signal are returned as a set.
[0068] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the two programs,
Get_Location( ) and Get_Time( ), are called, however, for example,
in the case of a GPS, since the acquired data format already
includes time information like {<time>, <latitude>,
<longitude>, <altitude>}, the clock time which can be
acquired from the GPS may be used as the time information. However,
since the time interval of data acquisition from the GPS is
predetermined by a system, in the case where time information needs
to be acquired at shorter intervals, it is more suitable to use
clock-based time information generated by a processor, which are
acquired by the Get_Time( ) program. Use of either clock time
information may be determined according to the specifications of
the RFID management apparatus 100.
[0069] It should be appreciated that location information returned
by the Get_Location( ) is not necessarily information from the GPS
as it is. At present, GPS accuracy is around 10 meters, however, it
is expected to be around 1 meter in the future. However, whether or
not one-meter unit accuracy is necessary will depend on the system
design. For example, when a person enters a store and walks around
in the store, it may be thought that in terms of location, what's
important is which store the person is in, and that what part of
the store the person is in is not very important, or in the case of
a large store, it may be thought that it is more important to be
able to know which section of the store the person is in.
Therefore, for the value which the Get_Location( ) program returns,
it is desirable that adjusted data be returned in consideration of
such design specifications. For Get_Time( ), similarly, the level
of time granularity considered appropriate depends on the design
specifications. Therefore, generally, it is desirable that data be
returned after executing temporal adjustment at the Get_Time( )
program. In other words, the Get_Time( ) program may be set so that
it returns the same time value within a specified period of time,
such as 10 minutes or 1 hour.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a data
structure of an RFID aggregate structure to be stored in the RFID
aggregate storage 40. The figure shows an example of a data
structure of RFID aggregates created in the memory by the
Record_Tag (tagID, Loc, Time) program. An RFID aggregate structure
is created for each readout location and managed. One RFID
aggregate structure 150 is created for a location L1, in which
attribute information 152 associated with the location L1 (for
example, the URL of a store associated with the location L1) is
stored. An update information 154 is for recording information of
the latest updated clock time when the attribute information 152
associated with the location L1 was acquired, and in the case where
the updated clock time is prior to the present clock time by a
specified time, the attribute information 152 is updated. For
example, in the case where the design is such that information is
updated on a one day basis, the updated clock time and the present
clock time are compared and if the difference is within one day,
information update is not done.
[0071] In the RFID aggregate structure 150 for each readout
location, RFIDs are further classified by readout time. The RFID1
to RFID6, read out from RFID tags 1 to 6 in location L1, as shown
in FIG. 1, are classified into two structures, 156a and 156b,
according to the readout times T1 and T2, and the RFID1 to RFID3
(reference numerals 160a to 160c) and the RFID3 to RFID5 (reference
numerals 160c to 160e) are respectively stored in structures 156a
and 156b as an RFID aggregate 1 (reference numeral 158a) and an
RFID aggregate 2 (reference numeral 158b).
[0072] In other words, there are 5 RFIDs scanned at location L1,
RFID1 to RFID5, of which 3 RFIDs, RFID1 to RFID3, are labeled at
time T1 and consolidated into the same RFID aggregate 1. Similarly,
3 RFIDs, RFID3 to RFID5, are labeled at the time T2 and
consolidated into the same RFID aggregate 2. Here, there are two
readout times, T1 and T2, for RFID3, therefore, RFID3 is stored in
both RFID aggregate 1 and RFID aggregate 2. It should be
appreciated that the RFID-related information of each RFID may be
stored in the RFID aggregate structure 150, thus hierarchically
constructed, in association with each RFID. RFID-related
information may also be separately stored in an association
structure consisting of RFIDs and meta information, which will be
explained in FIG. 7.
[0073] FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining a data
structure of an association structure consisting of RFIDs and meta
information. A data structure of the association structure 170 is
used to manage meta information with respect to each RFID. An
alignment or a hash table (reference numeral 171) is set up, which
enables a system to reference an arbitrary RFID from the
memory.
[0074] When a specific RFID, for example, RFID1, is searched for
from the table structure of the hash table 171, the value of RFID1,
and its attribute information 180a and update information 182a are
written in the data structure 172 of RFID1. The attribute
information 180a is RFID-related information of RFID1, and the
update information 182a is the clock time when the RFID-related
information of RFID1 was updated. The data structure 172 for RFID1
has a link for managing the readout time/location pair of the RFID1
as a list. Here, a data structure 174 consisting of the readout
time T1 and the readout location L1, as a pair, is linked to the
data structure 172 for RFID1.
[0075] Similarly, in the data structure 176, for RFID3, the value
of RFID3, and its attribute information 180b and update information
182b are written. To the data structure 176 for RFID3, with a
readout time/location pair of the RFID3 as a list, a data structure
178a consisting of the readout time T1 and readout time L1, as a
pair, and a data structure 178b consisting of the readout time T2
and readout location L1, as a pair, are linked.
[0076] There are various options regarding a data management
structure, and it goes without saying that the option to be
selected may be varied by design specifications. Whatever the case
may be, to facilitate management by the RFID management apparatus
100, a plurality of RFID aggregates are hierarchically constructed
based on the readout location and the readout time, which are
recorded in the memory in a form that enables RFID-related
information to be collectively managed in the RFID aggregates.
[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining an
Update_Tag_Info( ) program for updating the attribute information
of the RFID tag of FIG. 5. This program constantly tries to make a
connection to the server 140 via the wireless access point 120, and
in the case where a connection is successfully made, executes from
a server referenced by a ch variable a Get_Metadata_For_Tags(ch)
which is a program for acquiring RFID-related information and a
Get_Metadata_For_Locations(ch) which is a program for acquiring
readout location related information. By executing these programs,
attribute information of RFIDs, which need to be updated, or
readout location-related attribute information, as explained in
FIGS. 6 and 7, are acquired from the server 140 and stored in a
data structure.
[0078] FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining the
RFID-related information acquired through executing the
Get_Metadata_For_Tags(ch) program for acquiring RFID-related
information of FIG. 8. As attribute information 170a of the data
structure 162 of RFID1, attribute information to be identified by
RFID1, such as product manufacturer, category, price, color,
pattern, size, and image, is recorded.
[0079] Up to this point, as a function of the RFID management
apparatus 100, an RFID collection function to automatically detect
RFID tags in the vicinity and record RFIDs read from the RFID tags
has been described. The RFID management apparatus 100, in addition
to the function to collect RFIDs, has an RFID information display
function and a navigation function. Referring to FIGS. 10 to 14,
the RFID information viewer navigation function will now be
explained below.
[0080] FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for illustrating and
explaining a menu to enable a user to select a location where RFID
information is recorded. In FIG. 10A, a menu is displayed on the
screen of the RFID management apparatus 100, which enables a user
to select RFID information to view from between RFID information
recorded in the memory of the RFID management apparatus 100 (in
other words, "Local") and RFID information recorded in a server's
database (in other words, "Global"). The user selects an option
using an arrow key 190. In FIG. 10A, "Local" is selected.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 10B, when "Global" is selected, another
menu appears on the screen, which enables the user to select a
server from between a home server on a home network and a net
server on the Internet. FIG. 10B shows that the user is selecting
"Net server" as a connection point.
[0082] It should be appreciated that while a case of selecting a
navigation range by using a menu has been described above as an
example, a mechanical means may also be used for selecting a
navigation range, such as an external switch on the RFID management
apparatus 100. Further, the menu to be displayed on the display may
appear on the initial screen upon activating the RFID management
apparatus 100 by pressing a power button 182.
[0083] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for illustrating and
explaining a menu to enable a user to select a filtering condition
for RFIDs for navigation. As shown in FIG. 11A, a menu appears, for
enabling a user to select either "Time" or "Location" to filter
RFIDs. When "Time" is selected, another menu appears, for enabling
the user to select one condition from among "Today," "Within 1
Week," "Within 1 Month," and "All." Here, the user is selecting
"Today." This narrows down the range of the RFID-related
information for navigation to RFIDs read out today.
[0084] FIG. 11B shows a menu, which appears when "Location" is
selected, for enabling the user to further select one condition
from among "Within 1 km," "Within 10 km," and "All." Here, the user
is selecting "Within 1 km." This narrows down the range of the
RFID-related information for navigation to RFIDs read out within a
one-kilometer radius with the center being the current location
acquired from the location sensor 24.
[0085] FIG. 12 is a diagram for showing filtering of RFIDs for
navigation using RFID-related information. Here, by using
RFID-related information, search refinement is done to determine
navigation target items like selecting "Clothing" for product
category, "Women's wear" for clothing, "Manufacturer" for attribute
of women's wear, "Company C" for manufacturer.
[0086] A navigation space where RFIDs for navigation are placed is
generated in the following manner. Using the readout location based
RFID aggregate structure 150 explained in FIG. 6 and the
association structure 170 consisting of RFIDs and meta information
explained in FIG. 7, RFID-related information in an RFID aggregate
which meets the filtering conditions on readout location, readout
time or the like is extracted. Using the feature quantity included
in the extracted RFID-related information, a feature space is
generated and RFIDs are placed in the feature space. By converting
the feature space, in which the RFIDs are placed, into a 3D space
by multivariate analysis, a navigation space is generated, in which
the RFIDs are placed. To generate a navigation space by
multivariate analysis, the method stated in Japanese Patent
Application No. 2005-357026 by the applicant for the present
application may be used.
[0087] A method for generating a navigation space by multivariate
analysis will be explained. Extract N pieces of feature quantities
characterizing the RFID-related information (metadata) of an RFID.
For example, when an RFID associated product is music, from
metadata, read out information, such as singer, genre, tempo, and
nationality, as feature quantities and convert each feature
quantity into a numerical value. By expressing a plurality of
feature quantities, which have been converted into numerical
values, as a vector, calculate the feature vector of the meta
information.
[0088] For example, consider that as a feature quantity of a music
title, genre and nationality included in the metadata are used.
Assume that the genre may be either classic, jazz, or rock, and the
nationality may be either Asia, Europe, or America. As a feature
vector of the music title, prepare a 6-bit binary vector. When the
genre is classic, assign 1 to the first bit; when the genre is
jazz, assign 1 to the second bit; and when the genre is rock,
assign 1 to the third bit. When the artist's nationality is Asia,
assign 1 to the fourth bit; when the artist's nationality is
Europe, assign 1 to the fifth bit, and when the artist's
nationality is America, assign 1 to the sixth bit. This enables,
for example, a case of a jazz music title, which is played by an
American, to be expressed by the feature vector (0, 1, 0, 0, 0,
1).
[0089] Further, a music feature vector may be determined by
preparing several candidate keywords, assigning a binary vector to
each keyword, and adding up the binary vectors of all the keywords
included for the music title.
[0090] Based on the information of an N-dimensional feature vector
of the metadata thus determined, set up an N-dimensional feature
space with its coordinate axes being the respective N-dimensional
feature quantities of the metadata (metadata space), and place the
metadata at a coordinate position pointed by the N-dimensional
feature vector in the N-dimensional feature space. In other words,
the metadata is expressed as a point having an N-dimensional
coordinate in the N-dimensional feature space. By generating a
feature space (metadata space) based on the RFID-related
information of an RFID (metadata) in this way, the RFID may be
placed at a point in the metadata space.
[0091] By expressing a feature quantity of a user's preference
information as a vector, a coordinate system may be moved so that
the point pointed at by the user's preference information vector is
made to be the origin point of the feature space. By making the
point pointed at by the user's preference information vector the
origin point, RFID-related information having a feature quantity
most similar to the feature quantity of the user's preference
information ends up closest to the origin point and RFID-related
information having a feature quantity most dissimilar to the
feature quantity of the user's preference information ends up
farthest away from the origin point.
[0092] Multiple pieces of RFID-related information of RFIDs are
placed in the N-dimensional feature space, and pieces of
RFID-related information having a similar feature form a cluster
like a "nebula" in the N-dimensional feature space. Since a space
with more than three dimensions cannot be visualized, even if
pieces of RFID related information are placed in the N-dimensional
feature space, it is not easy for the user to recognize a cluster
of RFIDs having a similar feature. Therefore, visualize a cluster
of RFIDs having a similar feature by mapping the RFIDs placed in
the N-dimensional feature space into a 3D virtual space.
[0093] When mapping the RFIDs, which are distributed in the
N-dimensional feature space, in the 3D virtual space, do it so that
RFIDs which are closely related in the N-dimensional feature space
also sit close together, in terms of distance, in the 3D virtual
space. In other words, do mapping from the N-dimensional feature
space to the 3D virtual space so that the relationship between the
RFIDs, in terms of position and distance, is kept as much as
possible. For this purpose, multivariate analysis is used. By
analyzing the distribution of the RFIDs placed in the N-dimensional
feature space by multivariate analysis, taking out three main
elements, and defining a 3D virtual space in which the respective
elements are the coordinate axes, mapping from the N-dimensional
feature space to the 3D virtual space is done. This results in a
group of RFIDs which are similar in feature and form a cluster in
the N-dimensional feature space also being placed close together in
the 3D virtual space.
[0094] In particular, as previously mentioned, in the case of a
feature space in which a point pointed by a feature vector of a
user's preference information is made to be the origin point, by
mapping the origin point of the feature space in an initial
position for the user's search in a virtual space, the RFID which
has the RFID-related information closest to the user's preference
is mapped closest to the user's initial position. This enables the
user to search the virtual space, starting from RFID-related
information that the user is interested in.
[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram for showing a display example of a
navigation space. In this embodiment of a navigation system,
multivariate analysis is done based on the feature quantity of
RFID-related information, and using its results, thumbnail images
of the RFID-related information are placed within a 3D space. For a
user, the RFID thumbnail image, which is on the frontmost face,
automatically becomes an item to view, and by pressing the center
button of an arrow key 190, while not being illustrated, related
meta information is displayed. Further, using the up, down, left,
and right keys of the arrow key 190, the user can move in the 3D
space from side to side and up and down, and zoom in by using the
center button of the arrow key 190.
[0096] FIG. 14A is a diagram for illustrating and explaining an
option selection menu displayed in the navigation screen of FIG. 13
for an RFID thumbnail image for viewing. For the RFID thumbnail
image at the front for viewing, if the user holds down the center
button of the arrow key 190, a menu pops up to enable the user to
select one option from between "Map display" and "Favorite type."
If "Map display" is selected in the option selection menu, as shown
in FIG. 14B, a map showing the proximity of the locations, where
the RFID for viewing was read out, is displayed on the screen, and
on the map, the locations of shops A and C are indicated. Shops A
and C are the locations, where the RFID for viewing was read out,
and on the map, the user can verify the shops where products
associated with the RFID selected in the navigation space may be
purchased.
[0097] FIG. 15A is a diagram for illustrating and explaining an
option selection menu displayed in the navigation screen of FIG. 13
for an RFID thumbnail image for viewing. The figure describes a
case where the user selected "Favorite type" as an option and did
"marking." In such cases, from the RFID-related information of the
RFID for viewing as shown in FIG. 15B, product attributes are
extracted and recorded in the user preference storage 54 as a
feature quantity indicating the user's preference. In the example
in FIG. 15B, attributes like <manufacturer> being "Company A"
and <color> being "black" are registered as the user's
preference information.
[0098] In another embodiment, by statistically analyzing attribute
information related to places visited in a defined recent period
(for example, one year) or attribute information of RFIDs which are
stored, it is possible to assume certain attributes are highly
preferred by a user. For example, if the user frequently visits
stores handling many products with blackish design in general, the
user is deemed to have a preference for the attribute "black."
[0099] The RFID management apparatus 100 has a function to activate
an alarm by sound or a screen display when a product of a user's
type is in the vicinity. FIG. 16 is a diagram for illustrating and
explaining an alarm notification screen using user preference
information. When an RFID having RFID-related information
consistent with the user preference information is in the vicinity
of the present location (in other words, if the RFID was previously
detected in the vicinity of the present location, or when an RFID
is detected at this immediate time in the vicinity of the present
location), an alarm sounds and a message "There is a shop selling
clothes of your type in the vicinity" appears on the screen
together with a map showing the location of the shop.
[0100] For example, when an RFID "tag103" having RFID-related
information consistent with the user preference information is at
shop A and shop C, and the RFID management apparatus 100 is brought
to a location close to shop A or shop C (for example, within 1 km),
the RFID management apparatus 100 gives notification to the user
with an alarm sound. The notification method may be changed
according to the distance between the RFID management apparatus 100
and the location of the RFID. For example, an implementation may be
more desirable, in which the RFID management apparatus 100, when
brought close enough to an RFID tag so that it can be detected,
gives notification with a blinking light, alarm sound etc. that a
product of the user's type is in the vicinity, and in other
situations, displays a map to guide the user.
[0101] The foregoing description has dealt with a navigator viewer
function of the RFID management apparatus 100. As was described in
FIG. 10A, the navigator viewer function of the RFID management
apparatus 100 may be connected to a household home server or a
public server and be used to target RFID aggregates within a
server. To enable a server to have RFID aggregates, a mechanism is
necessary for sharing the RFID information, which was collected and
recorded in the RFID management apparatus 100, with other users on
the server. Hereinafter, this information sharing system will be
described.
[0102] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conversion processing
apparatus 200 for uploading the RFID data, which was collected and
recorded by the RFID management apparatus 100, to the server 140
connected to a network. The conversion processing apparatus 200 may
be set up within the RFID management apparatus 100, or it may be
realized by a computer to which the RFID management apparatus 100
is connected. In the following description, the conversion
processing apparatus 200 shall be implemented in the RFID
management apparatus 100.
[0103] To upload RFID data, the conversion processing apparatus 200
is connected to the server 140 and requests a start-up of a server
program for RFID data uploading on the server 140. Next, the
conversion processing apparatus 200 creates and transmits to the
server 140 the RFID data collected by the RFID management apparatus
100, a device ID of the RFID management apparatus 100, a URL
related to the readout location of the RFID data, and a document
file including RFID-related information. The server program
operating on the server 140 stores the document file, which was
received, in a storage apparatus and makes it viewable from a
network.
[0104] The configuration of the conversion processing apparatus 200
will be described. A receiver 60 downloads a document file from the
server 140. A first extractor 62 extracts RFID aggregates and the
readout location and time of each RFID from the received document
file, and gives them to an RFID aggregate generator 64. The RFID
aggregate generator 64 generates an RFID aggregate structure
constructed by the extracted RFIDs based on the readout locations
and the readout times and stores it in an RFID aggregate storage
66. The RFID aggregates collected in the RFID management apparatus
100 are already accumulated in the RFID aggregate storage 66, and
from the server 140, the RFID aggregates collected by other people
are acquired and stored in the RFID aggregate storage 66. This
enables the RFID aggregates collected by other people to be added
to the RFID aggregates which a user collected on their own.
[0105] Consider that in the RFID aggregate storage 66, readout
location-based RFID aggregate structures are stored. In each
location-based RFID aggregate structure, RFIDs are classified based
on the readout times. A document file creator 68 creates readout
location-based document files according to the readout
location-based RFID aggregate structures stored in the RFID
aggregate storage 66.
[0106] A second extractor 70 extracts RFID aggregates which were
classified based on the readout times, and the readout times which
were the basis for the classification from the RFID aggregate
structure corresponding to the readout location of the document
file created by the document file creator 68, and gives them to a
description setter 72.
[0107] In the readout location-based document file generated by the
document file creator 68, the description setter 72 stores the RFID
aggregates extracted by the second extractor 70 based on the
readout times. Upon this, RFID-related information included in the
RFID aggregates is written in a form viewable via a network. A
transmitter 74 uploads the document file in which the RFID-related
description is placed by the description setter 72 to the server
140.
[0108] The conversion processing apparatus 200 may be partially
configured in the server 140. A function for converting an RFID
aggregate structure which can be used in the RFID management
apparatus 100 into a document file sharable via a network and a
function for converting the document file back into an RFID
aggregate structure may be realized in the server 140.
[0109] FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating and explaining
conversion of an RFID aggregate structure into a document file by
the conversion processing apparatus 200. Using a readout
location-based RFID aggregate structure 150 and an association
structure 170 consisting of RFIDs and meta information, an XML
document 210 is created as an example of a document file. Based on
readout location GPS data, a store name and its URL are already
acquired as attribute information related to the readout location
and described in parts marked with a <location> tag and a
<URL> tag in the XML document 210. In a <recording machine
ID> tag, the device ID of the RFID management apparatus 100 is
written.
[0110] In <recording time> tags, <RFID tag> is written
in by <time> tag. In this example, data of "tag 1," in other
words, a <tag ID> tag and a <meta information> tag are
written in the <time> tag "T1" as an <RFID ID tag>. In
a <meta information> tag, RFID-related information is
described. These pieces of tag data describe the RFID aggregate
structure 150 of FIG. 6 in an XML document form.
[0111] Thus, by releasing the XML document 210 converted from the
RFID aggregate structure 150 over networks, RFID aggregates become
viewable for other users. If accesses to the XML document 210 by
other users increase, the possibility of shop A's URL stated in the
XML document 210 being ranked higher in the keyword search by a
word described in the XML document increases, which will result in
higher effect of advertising shop A to general users.
[0112] It should be appreciated that instead of uploading RFID data
to the server 140, RFID data may be uploaded to a home server. In
such cases, processing similar to the above mentioned processing
may be done by activating a server program on a home server from
the RFID management apparatus 100. It should be appreciated that in
the server program of a home server, creation and release of an XML
document is not always necessary, however, such an operation may be
done to enable XML documents accumulated in the home server to be
viewable through the RFID management apparatus 100.
[0113] Processing when a user selects a net server or a home server
as the navigation range on the RFID management apparatus 100 as
shown in FIG. 10B will be described. The RFID management apparatus
100 is connected to a server and requests to activate a server
program. The server program does filtering according to the
requested conditions based on stored XML documents, and converts
the XML documents into an RFID aggregate structure form readable by
the RFID management apparatus 100. The server program generates a
meta data space by multivariate analysis based on the converted
RFID aggregate structure, and transmits initial data to be
displayed on the RFID management apparatus 100 to the RFID
management apparatus 100. When the RFID management apparatus 100
receives the data to be displayed from the server, a display as
shown in FIG. 13 appears.
[0114] Thereafter, when new data to be displayed is required as a
user navigates in the virtual space using the up, down, left, right
keys of the arrow key 190, necessary data is requested by
transmitting navigation operation information, viewpoint
information etc. to the server again. According to the request, the
server transmits data deemed to be necessary.
[0115] It should be appreciated that conversion processing from an
XML document to an RFID aggregate structure and navigation space
generation processing by multivariate analysis may be done on the
RFID management apparatus 100 side. A data structure of RFID
aggregates to be stored in the server 140 may be either an XML
document or an RFID aggregate structure usable by the RFID
management apparatus 100. In the case where data is stored as an
XML document, to generate a metadata space, conversion into an RFID
aggregate structure data form is preferable. Conversion processing
from an XML document to an RFID aggregate structure is the reverse
of the processing shown in FIG. 18.
[0116] Further, in the above-mentioned example, a case was
simulated, where upon generating an XML document in the server 140,
readout location-related URL information and RFID-related
information have already been included in the data structure
acquired from the RFID management apparatus 100, however, as a
matter of course, there is a case where readout location-related
URL information and RFID-related attribute information have yet to
be received. In such cases, when doing the conversion processing
shown in FIG. 18, data must be checked at the server and necessary
information be acquired from the appropriate location, and at the
same time, processing to write it in the <URL> tag item and
the <meta information> tag item must be done.
[0117] FIG. 19 is a diagram for showing an example of generation of
a metadata space through conversion of XML documents registered in
the server 140 from a plurality of RFID management apparatuses into
data in an RFID management apparatus format. Two XML documents 210a
and 210b were registered by two different RFID management
apparatuses, with a <recording machine ID> of "M387" and
"M1038," respectively. The two XML documents 210a and 210b both
have "tag1" for <tag ID>, but their readout locations are
respectively shop A and shop C and their readout times are
respectively T1 and T10. Thus, the two XML documents 210a and 210b
are different in readout location and readout time. In a metadata
space, even two such different pieces of RFID information may be
associated with products which have the same RFID. RFID aggregates
are organized from the two XML documents 210a and 210b, the readout
location-based RFID aggregate structure 150 and the association
structure 170 consisting of RFIDs and meta information are
generated, and using these pieces of data in the RFID management
apparatus format, a metadata space is generated.
[0118] In the case where "Net server" is selected in the menu of
FIG. 10B, a metadata space is generated from the RFID information
registered from the RFID management apparatuses of a plurality of
users, and is offered to the RFID management apparatus 100. In the
display of the RFID management apparatus 100, the RFID thumbnail
images of "tag 1" are displayed for viewing in a navigation space
as described in FIG. 14A, and if map display is selected, as shown
in FIG. 14B, shop A and shop C, which are the locations where the
RFID of "tag 1" was read out, are displayed.
[0119] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a user grouping apparatus 300
for making a user group based on user preference information. The
user grouping apparatus 300 is realized in a server. An RFID
aggregate storage 86 stores RFID aggregates registered by a
plurality of users. Each RFID in the RFID aggregates is associated
with a readout location, readout time, and RFID-related
information. A proximity evaluator 80 evaluates the proximity
between the RFID aggregates of a plurality of users.
[0120] The proximity evaluator 80 evaluates the proximity between a
readout location of a plurality of RFIDs included in the first
user's RFID aggregate and a readout location of a plurality of
RFIDs included in the second user's RFID aggregate. In the case
where there is more than one readout location, a proximity is
calculated by comparing the distribution of a plurality of readout
locations between users. The proximity evaluator 80 may evaluate a
proximity by further comparing the distribution of readout times
between users. Even if readout locations are close together, if
readout times are significantly different, the first user and the
second user may not need to be classified into one group. For
example, even between users who visit the same location, it can be
thought that those who go out during the daytime and those who go
out at night have different preferences.
[0121] Further, the proximity evaluator 80 may evaluate the
proximity between the feature quantity of multiple pieces of RFID
information included in the first user's RFID aggregate and the
feature quantity of multiple pieces of RFID information included in
the second user's RFID aggregate. For a simple example, a case
where two users prefer the same manufacturer is evaluated as a
proximity 1 and a case where two users prefer totally different
manufacturers is evaluated as a proximity 0. For colors and sizes
also, evaluation shall be made based on continuous quantity from
proximity 1 to proximity 0. Moreover, by expressing a plurality of
feature quantities of RFID related information as vectors, a
proximity may be evaluated based on the distance between
vectors.
[0122] A user classifier 82 groups users by proximity. The user
classifier 82 groups two random users in one group when the
proximity of the two random users is smaller than a predetermined
threshold value. The user classifier 82 adds group information to a
user profile stored in a user database 88. An advertisement
deliverer 84, for users in the same group, selects an
advertisement, which fits the users' preferences, from an
advertisement database 90, and delivers it simultaneously to the
users in the same group. In addition, as an applicable example of a
means of connecting users with similar preferences, use of chat
etc. may be considered.
[0123] As has been described previously, according to the RFID
management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible
to automatically read out and record RFID tags, which are used to
specify products and pieces of work. As well as automatically
acquiring RFID tags, the RFID management apparatus 100 records the
RFID tags together with the time and location of acquisition, and
acquires information related to the RFID tags when connection with
a server is possible. This enables systematic management of RFID
information.
[0124] According to the conversion processing apparatus 200 of the
present embodiment, a large amount of RFID information
automatically collected by the RFID management apparatus 100 can be
converted into a constructed document to be shared online with
other people. Further, common constructed documents can be
converted in a unified manner into a data structure referable by
the RFID management apparatus 100.
[0125] According to the RFID management apparatus 100 of the
present embodiment, it is possible to offer a navigator function to
enable a user to search a space for RFID-related information by
filtering a large amount of RFID information, which was
automatically collected, based on conditions, such as time and
location, and displaying it systematically.
[0126] According to the RFID management apparatus 100 of the
present embodiment, by enabling a user to search a space in which a
large amount of RFID information acquired by the RFID management
apparatus 100 is placed and enabling the user to mark their
favorite product etc., the user preference information is extracted
from RFID-related information. Alternatively, the user preference
information is extracted through statistically analyzing the
RFID-related information of RFIDs acquired by the user over a
defined period. Consequently, attributes highly preferred by the
user may be determined and when the user comes close to a location
where an RFID having an attribute highly preferred by the user or
when the corresponding RFID is detected at the present location,
notification can be made to the user by an alarm sound etc.
[0127] According to the user grouping apparatus 300 of the present
embodiment, by analyzing the large amount of RFID information
acquired over a defined period by RFID management apparatuses 100
owned by a plurality of users and evaluating the proximity of the
preferences of a plurality of users, the users can be grouped
according to the proximity. As well as analyzing the RFID
information collected by individual users, by comparing the RFID
information respectively collected between a plurality of users and
evaluating common points and differences, it is possible to extract
users having common preferences, which can be utilized for product
advertisement and communication between users.
[0128] Up to this point, the present invention has been described
in conjunction with the embodiment thereof. It will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made
to combinations of the foregoing components and processes, and all
such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of
the present invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0129] The present invention is applicable to the wireless ID
management technologies.
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